Cancer screening
Early detection of cancer is based on the observation that treatment is more
effective when disease is detected early as there is a greater chance that curative
treatment will be successful, particularly for cancers of the breast, cervix, Larynx,
colon and rectum and skin. Early detection is therefore successful when linked to
effective treatment, as 30% of treatable cancer can be cured if detected early. There
are many factors influencing the extent to which members of a specific culture
participate in cancer prevention and screening. These factors include the patient’s
birthplace and the level of acculturation or assimilation to the new host society
(Hedeen, White, & Taylor, 1999), their cultural attitude towards bodily functions
and the power of indigenous healers, their general and cancer-specific beliefs, their
practices concerning health, diet, and access to screening, as well as their
expectation concerning the quality of patient-provider interaction and
communication in the health care setting (Lasky & Martz, 1993).
Cultural group is different and unique in defining health and well-being, perceiving
the causes of disease, misfortune, and death (Spector, 2002), and identifying
appropriate preventive health activities and effective treatment strategies to ensure
the survival and well-being of its members (Kagawa-Singer, 1996). Therefore,
being familiar with the history, culture, values, beliefs, and practices of ethnic
minority individuals can be very helpful in understanding how patients and their
families interpret the causes of cancer and the recommended regimen for cancer
prevention, screening, and treatment. As Kagawa-
Singer (1996) stated, patients will only incorporate recommended medical
regimens when these recommendations fit into their belief systems and are relevant
to their lives at a specific point in time, and when they see that the changes are
worth the effort to try and have the resources to do so.
They may not consider preventive health care a priority and engage in cancer
screening practices unless they can seek and receive services from health care
organizations that are responsive to their specific needs and coping patterns
(Spector, 2002). Moreover, cultural beliefs, attitudes, and life experiences also
affect an immigrant’s reaction to cancer, health maintenance, daily activities, body
discomforts, food preference, and various treatment and health practices (Lasky &
Martz, 1993). These barriers make it very difficult for many medically underserved
Asian Americans to access cancer screening services and to seek prompt treatment
for cancer. It is therefore important for health professionals and cancer experts to
improve access to services by designing culturally sensitive and consumer friendly
programs that meet the needs of the medically underserved population.
Screening asymptomatic individuals for precancerous lesions or to detect early
stages of cancer has been successfully demonstrated to reduce cancer mortality for
cancers of the cervix, breast and colorectal. Screening and early detection of cancer
are integral components of a cancer control program. Screening requires an
effective and accurate screening test, public education to ensure participation of the
target population and follow-up care for those detected with pre-cancer and cancer.
Early diagnosis can be improved by public and health provider education, and can
result in substantial improvement in the outcome of persons detected with cancer,
provided there is no delay in diagnosis and effective treatment. (Silvana et al,
2009).
Cancer screenings play an important role in reducing the morbidity and mortality
of cancer. Prostate, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers are amenable to routine
screening. Such screenings often results in earlier stage diagnosis for cancer and
more favorable prognosis. However, even with these benefits identified, survival
has been shown to vary among racial/ethnic groups (American Cancer Society,
2006).
Women over the age of 40 should screen for breast cancer (breast self-
examination, clinical breast examination, and mammogram) and women over 18
should screen for cervical cancer. Screening guidelines also recommend that men
over age 50 should screen for prostate cancer. These screening guidelines are
shown to be effective in reducing breast cancer mortality (Kagawa-Singer, 1996).
While major efforts are made in the education, screening, treatment, and
rehabilitation of cancer in the mainstream world, cancer control efforts targeting
the Asian American populations have been inadequate (Hedeen, White, & Taylor.,
1999).
The poor and medically underserved often encounter numerous barriers to
preventive health care. These barriers include poverty, substandard and
overcrowded housing, crime, lack of resources such as transportation and child
care, as well as lack of knowledge and skills in negotiating the health care system
(Langer, 1999). The poor are often overwhelmed by various situations such as poor
physical health, poor living condition, and unemployment. They may not consider
preventive health care a priority and engage in cancer screening practices unless
they can seek and receive services from health care organizations that are
responsive to their specific needs and coping patterns (Lasky & Martz, 1993). It is
therefore important for health professionals and cancer experts to improve access
to services by designing culturally sensitive and consumer friendly programs that
meet the needs of the medically underserved population.
Information on cancer screening and survival in Asian subgroups remains limited,
even as these populations are increasing in the U.S. (Wing-Kim, 2003). Some
studies show research focusing on the reason for the disparity of cancer screening
rates between Asian Americans and other racial/ethnic groups (Lasky & Martz,
1993).
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